Scrubbing device



NOV. 27, 1934. c M RUTTER' 1,982,356

SCRUBBING DEVICE Fi'led Aug. 19, 1932 3 Sheet-Sheet 1 Snventor Ct YDE M BUTTER Y I By attorney 5 Nov. 27, 1934.

c. M. BUTTER SGRUBBING DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MM w m m m m 3 U G 4 m a r B mw .H ww xw .mw QM Nov. 27, 1934. c. M. RUTTER 1,982,356

SGRUBBING :DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet I2 Clttornegs Patented Nov. .21, 1934 PATENT OFFICE imam scnunnms nnvrcn Clyde M. Butter, Mon, Ohio, assignor to Republic Steel Corporation, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application-August 19, 1932, Serial No. 629,529

7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating the surface of strip steel, plates and the like, and more particularly to a scrubbing apparatus for removing the pickling solution, the scale and extraneous matter loosened thereby as the strip is discharged from the pickling tank.

Heretofore apparatus employed in cleaning or scrubbing strip steel or plates have included coacting pairs of rotating cylindrical brushes which 10 contacted with, both sides of the strip or plate as the same passed therebetween. This type of brush was subject to rapid deterioration and the cost of replacement thereof was relatively great, not only in the actual expenditure for the article replaced, but the-time spent in effecting the replacement. The cylindrical brushes were of considerable width to take care of treating articles localized worn places would be formed. Subsequently upon passing strip through the machine of a greater width, the brushes would track leaving portions of the strip uncleaned. This feature of the machines produced an undesirable product and greatly increased the scrap loss. Furthermore brushes which have a straight-line or track" action lack in scrubbing efficiency, since the surface acted upon is not in reality scrubbed, but may be considered as subjected to a straight brushing action. It is among the objects of this invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning or scrubbing strip steel, plates and the like wherein the surface acted upon will be subjected to an eflicient scrubbing action. It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus wherein the 40 strip is subjected to a substantial brush area, the movement of r de brushes relative to the continuously moving strip being such that wear of the brushes will not result in unclean portions of strip subsequently passed through the machines. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class specified wherein the parts which are subject to wear may be replaced at a comparatively low cost ,of time, material and labor.

comprises a pair of parallel horizontally disposed plates, provided with suitable brush material,

which as shown consists-of a plurality of brush blocks secured to the opposed surfaces of the plates. The bottom plate -1s suspend ed from a The preferred embodiment of this invention the rods 9, theplate 11 is permitted to partake suitable housing or frame and is free to partake of a limited amount of rotary or curvilinear movement in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the sheet being acted upon. The strip passing between the brushing surfaces of the plates is subjected to a circular scrubbing of the brush elements contacting therewith. This eflicient scrubbing movement of the brushes relative to the surfaces of the strip thoroughly cleans the same and removes all loose scale and traces of the pickling bath which may have adhered to the surface after leaving the pickling tanks.

Other objects and advantageous features more or less ancilliary to the foregoing and. the manner in which all the various objects are carried outwill appear in the following detailed description which, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, sets forth the preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the scrubbing apparatus constituting my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation partly in section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of one of the brush elements.

With reference to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a rectangular base 1 which is suitably disposed on a plurality of channel irons 2. Supported on the base 1 and extending upwardly therefrom is a plurality of columns 3. The tops of the adjacent columns 3 at each end of the base "1 are secured together by parallel beams 4 from which the scrubber is suspended. Intermediate the ends of beams 4 and secured thereto are a pair of spaced hanger blocks 5. These blocks are provided with a semi-spherical cavity or socket 6 through which an aperture '7 extends concentric with the cavity 6. This aperture coincides with the aperture 7a when the block 5 is disposed on the beam 4. The cavity 6 receives a semi-spherical bearing block 8 secured to one end of a rod 9. A suitable cap member 10 is bolted to the'top of the block to preclude the entry of any extraneous matter to the ball and socket joint. Similarly at the corners of the brush plate 11 are disposed blocks 12 each having a semi-spherical cavity 13 dis- 1f posed in opposed relation to the cavity of the blocks 5 and adapted to receive a bearing block 14, the latter being secured to the lower end of I the rod 9. Through the bearingblocks 14 and plate 11.

of circular movement relative to the supporting apparatus therefor.

The plate 11 is provided with longitudinally extending dovetail slots 15 which receive inserts 16 carrying clip members 17. These clip members receive and secure the brush blocks 18 to the horizontal plates. The brush plate 11 (Figure 3) has integrally formed along one side thereof a plurality of bracket arms 20 each having pivotally secured to the end thereof, a supporting arm 21. The supporting arm 21 is adapted to carry a plate 22 to which is secured brush blocks 23. As is shown in Figures 1 and. 2 the upper plate 22 carrying the brush blocks for co-operating with the lower plate 11 is made up of a plurality of sections to render the apparatus easily accessible for the replacement of worn parts. The brush blocks carried by the respective plates 11 and 22 have their brush material disposed in opposed relation so that when a piece of metal is passing therebetween both surfaces thereof are subjected to the scrubbing action of the brushes. Disposed on the base 1 at one end thereof is a motor 30 which drives suitable gear reduction mechanism 31 and 32 through shafting 33 and 34. Associated with the gear reduction units 31 and 32 are vertical pins 35 which are adapted to be rotated thereby. The pin 35 engages an eccentric cam member 36 carried by an outwardly extending offset portion 37 at each end of the Rotation of the pin 35 through the driving mechanism causes a circular motion to be imparted to the plate 11 in a plane substantially parallel to the surface being acted upon.

To assist the brush elements in cleaning the strip a spray system is provided which conveys a spray of water to the strip prior to its passage between the opposite brush elements and after leaving the last set of brushes. This spray system comprises a plurality of pipes .or conduits 40 extending laterally of the plate 22 having suitable apertures disposed on the periphery thereof at such points as will throw a stream of water-at an angle to the sheet or strip A passing between the brushes. The lateral pipes 40 are in communication with each other through conduits 41 and the water is conveyed thereto from a suitable source of supply through a conduit 42. This construction is the same for each and all of the sections of the top plate 22. Similar spray means is provided to co-operate with the brushing elements of the bottom plate 11. A plurality of laterally extending pipes 44 extend throughout the extent of the bottom plate and water is conveyed thereto from the conduit 45 which is in communication with a suitable source of supply through conduit 46. Although there is shown herein a specific means for conveying fluid and for directing the same on to the sheet while being scrubbed various other installations of spraying means might be used with equal advantage.

In operation the strip is adapted to be conveyed or drawn from the pickling tank (not shown) between the opposed surfaces of wipers 50 from which the strip passes between guiderolls 51 which direct the strip between the brushes 18. As the strip moves between the brushes the opposed surfaces thereof are subjected to a circulatory scrubbing action by said brushes. It will be seen that the brushes act in a plane parallel with the surfaces of the sheet and'at no time "track as do those brushes of the conventional rotary type scrubber, or brushes which move in a substantially straight reciprocatory path.

Furthermore, it will be seen that the parts of the device are easily accessible and that the worn or damaged parts of the same may be removed and replaced with a low cost of time, material and labor.

Although the foregoing description is somewhat of a limited nature to clearly set forth this invention, I do ,not wish to be detailed thereby other than as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for scrubbing strip material, a pair of upper and lower horizontally disposed brush-supporting members, brush members secured to said members in opposed relation, means for suspending the lower supporting member for bodily circular-movement, means connecting said lower member with said upper member whereby the upper member is permitted a floating action in a substantially vertical plane, and means'for imparting bodily circular movement to the lower member in a horizontal plane to thereby impart a like movement to said upper member and the brushes carried by said members.

2. In apparatus for scrubbing strip material, upper and lower horizontally disposed brushsupporting plates, brushes secured to said plates in opposed relation, means for suspending the lower plate for bodily circular movement, means connecting the lower plate with the upper plate for simultaneous circular movement therewith, said connecting means being hinged to permit the brushes of the upper plate to bear by gravity on the material being scrubbed, and means for imparting bodily circular movement to at least one of said plates in a substantially horizontal plane to thereby impart a like motion to both plates and the brushes carried thereby.

3. Apparatus for scrubbing strip material comprising a main supporting frame, a lower brushsupporting plate suspended from said plane for bodily circular movement in a substantially horizontal plane, an upper brush-supporting plate connected to said lower plate, brush members secured to said plates, and means for imparting circular movement to said lower plate in a substantially horizontal plane to thereby inipart a like movement to said upper plate and the brushes carried by the plates.

4.- Apparatus for scrubbing strip material comprising a main supporting frame, a lower brushsupporting plate suspended from said frame for bodily circular movement, an upper brush supporting plate, a plurality of arms pivotally connectlng said plates with one another for simultaneous movement in a horizontal plane, said arms being hinged to permit the brushes of the upper plate to bear by gravity on the material being scrubbed, and means for imparting a circular movement to said lower plate to thereby impart a like movement to said upper plate and the brushes carried by the plates.

5. Apparatus for scrubbing strip material comprising a main supporting frame, upper and lower brush-supporting plates, a plurality of suspension members connecting said lower plate with said frame, ball and socket bearings for said members, horizontally pivoted arms connecting said lower plate with the upper plate, brush members secured to said plates in opposed relation, and means for imparting a circular movement to said lower plate to thereby impart a like movement to said upper plate and the brushes carried by both plates.

6. Apparatus for scrubbing strip material comprising a main supporting frame, upper and lower brush-supporting plates, brush members secured to said plates, meats tor suspending said lower plate from said name for bodily circular movement, means connecting said plates for simultaneous movement in a horizontal plane. means for imparting a bodily circular movement to said lower plate to thereby impart a like movement to said upper plate and the brushes carried by both plates, a plurality of spray nozzles projeoted through said plates, and means for oon ducting a fluid medium to said nomles.

7. Apparatus ior scrubbing strip material com- CLYDE m. Burma. 

